A peaceful gite in the Auvergne

A comfortable three-bedroom gîte in a hamlet in one of the most beautiful undiscovered parts of France. Open from late April to late October.

 Lou Coucaye is taking  bookings for 2024.

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In the hamlet of Chazieux, peace and quiet is just one among many  assets. As well its magnificent and unspoilt natural environment, the area round Lou Coucaye is one of France's original 41 officially designated Art and heritage areas, thanks to its rich heritage of mediaeval castles, churches, and unspoilt villages. In addition, the area offers a wealth of opportunities for outdoor pursuits, walking, river swimming and biking, kayaking or fishing, bird-watching or botany. Lavoûte Chilhac, officially designated as one of the "most beautiful villages in France" is 6km on foot or by bike, 12 by road

15 km from Lou Coucaye, Brioude, the local market town, is one of the most attractive small towns in France, with a weekly market and some excellent restaurants.... Yet being off the busy tourist trail, it has kept its character, unlike many of the more famous small towns in France, which are now just tourist traps. Its 12th century St Julien's basilica was recently awarded a Michelin three-star rating, the top rating in the famous "Green guides" scale.
    The "Brivadois" is one of the drier parts of France, with 2200 hours of sunshine a year, and is also an area where there is plenty to do even on a rainy day.  As well as the beautiful natural environment, in July and August, there is an extensive programme of evening concerts in the historic churches and chapels of the Haut Allier - many with top class performers.

Details

This  tastefully restored farm cottage gîte is in a small and friendly hamlet in the rural area of Saint Ilpize, in the heart Auvergne's  beautiful Haut-Allier valley, 90 km. south of Clermont Ferrand.  The stone-built gite has been carefully and attractively restored.  The hillside behind (starting just behind the house) (map) is a class 1  nature reserve (ZNIEFF type 1 - French equivalent of a class 1 SSSI) . The area is a haven for nature lovers, with its wealth of wildlife - birds, mammals and plants - including eagles, deer and even small wild prickly-pear cacti. And the valley still has some of the old terraced vineyards that made it famous in past centuries. A short walk from the village is a small heritage vineyard, conserving many old varieties of vine, and just beyond it the impressive mediaeval castle of St. Ilpize.
Chazieux is at the end of the road, and there is hardly any vehicle traffic in the village. The only traffic jams occur when the road is taken up by a flock of sheep. Guests at Lou Coucaye are welcomed with fresh flowers and maybe also fresh vegetables from the garden.     Click for panorama of the village  (high resolution jpg photo)

Ground floor  a spacious living area with dining table for six, and comfortable chairs, under a beamed ceiling. The two windows look out over the valley, with views down to the river and up to the hilltops opposite. There is a semi-enclosed kitchen area with gas cooker, fridge-freezer, microwave, top-loading washing machine and cupboards.  
There is also a toilet with wash-basin, and a cloakroom under the stairs. The front door gives onto a large stone paved terrace, with chairs and a table for al fresco dining, with views over the valley and up the hillside behind. This area tends to become the main living space for visitors during the summer months. Throughout the summer, it offers sunshine and shade. There is adequate shade in  the heat of the day, but the full terrace, facing west, catches the early evening sunshine.  The first floor contains the main bedroom (pine floor with rugs): one double bed, built in wardrobe; the window looks out over the valley. The adjoining bathroom has a full-size bath with shower, plus second toilet and washbasin.

 The second floor has two bedrooms, one with a double bed, the other, under a sloping wood panelled ceiling, with two single beds. The double- bedded room has windows facing up and down the valley; the single bedded-room, has a secured floor-level window with views down to the river, and a skylight. This room, with its selection of toys and games,  is ideal for children, but suitable for adults too. Both second-floor rooms have fitted carpets. All bedrooms have curtains, not shutters. 

Further details :

Lou Coucaye has......... Broadband  Internet access  (Wifi and ethernet connections) ,   DVD/CD  player and LCD monitor.  (Some DVDs can be borrowed)
Books in English and French, books about the region,  
Toys, books and games for children,

There is generally mobile phone reception in the gite, or (for some phones) outside. .....
The river is popular for fishing (fly or coarse fishing) kayaking and swimming, and the area abounds in historic monuments....

And of course, it is also a wonderful spot for those who just want to relax......


 

"Wie alle Besucher vor uns haben wir uns in Chazieux sehr wohl gefühlt! Besonders haben wir die Ruhe genossen.  Es war unser erstes Urlaub in der Auvergne, a ber bestimmt nicht unser letztes.  Vielen Dank für Eure Gastfreundschaft !  (Like all your visitors, we really enjoyed our time. We particularly appreciated the peace and quiet. It was our first trip to Auvergne, but surely not our last one. Thanks for your friendly welcome ! )"
   Sandra & Jochen, Darmstadt, Germany  

"We marvelled at the vallée, the villages and the volcanoes, did the butterfly walk, saw chateaux, abbayes, puys, églises, and still found time to play tennis.   And above all we met wonderful people wherever we went, or if we just stayed put. Thanks Andrew & Ginny for your warm hospitality and advice. Lots to do when we come back."
     Bruce & Jenny, Sydney, Australia

"Two black kites showed us the way from Saint Ilpize, a fitting beginning for two weeks full of birds, butterflies, plants, and above all sunshine. We all love it very much here. Chazieux is an ideal place if you want to spend some time in a quiet place with incredible wildlife"
    Sandra, Rinke and family,  Newcastle, England

"Pour la troisième année consecutive, nous voici en vacances à Chazieux. C'est avec un très grand plaisir que nous avons retrouvé le gîte, sa terrasse, et son paysage splendide, la baignade et la pêche dans l'Allier.  Nous reviendrons ...  (For the third year in a row, here we are again on holiday in Chazieux. We're delighted to be back in the gite, with its terrace and splendid countryside, the swimming and the fishing in the river.  We'll be back again..... ) ."  
    Famille George, Lyon, France

"Wonderful week at Lou Coucaye – think we only scratched the surface of things to see and do, but we did manage Puy Mary as well as the train trip down the Allier gorge, well worth it!   Going back very relaxed !
    Alan & Mary, Worcestershire, England

"What luck for us to discover this unspoilt corner of France. Coming in Spring, we must have witnessed one of the most beautiful times in the valley; magical greens of the beeches and birches on the hillsides, the wonderful meadows of grasses, cowslips, orchids, even narcissi, flowers of the wayside, broom in bloom, and the sound of birdsong... We heard hoopoes, nightingales, bonelli's warbler, and saw kites, short-toed eagle, harriers and  honey-buzzard. The gîte has been a delight, and the weather always dry...."
     Jeffrey & Mary, Surrey, England

 "A very special holiday has been enjoyed by us all. Children loved the beach and searching for wildlife along the river. We have seen eagles, deer, kites, hoopoes, lizards, red squirrels, and much more. A nature-lover's paradise. Fantastic walking and breathtaking views. The gite is comfortable and clean... and we hope to return."
     Sally & Martin, Surrey, England - 

 "We have seen enough and enjoyed the special beauty of this part of France to know that we want to come back; and we have appreciatd the warm hospitality, the cosy comfort and so many other aspects of this gite and hamlet."
      Mary & Norm, Kalamazoo, Michigan USA - 

"May 2006 - "Had a wonderful relaxing two weeks. Everything we needed was here, and the location is fantastic. One of our best holidays....... We will definitely be back".
     J & C , Northants,  England

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